Questions About Apollo Cannabis Clinic Or Medical Cannabis?

Apollo believes in affordable and accessible medicine, as such, we do not charge for our appointments. If you live in Ontario, your consultation with the Physician is free as it is covered by OHIP. We also offer a FREE secure video appointment for patients who live across Canada. Fees for missed appointments can be found here.

Are there any fees if I miss or cancel my appointment?

At Apollo, we try to minimize all costs to our patients. Unfortunately, if you miss your appointment, or have to cancel with less than 48 hours notice, there is a fee you will have to pay.

Missed appointment with Physician: $40.00 + tax

Missed appointment with Specialist: $50.00 + tax

Am I a candidate for medical marijuana?

The majority of our patients suffer from pain, anxiety, and/or sleep issues, and traditional medications and therapies have been ineffective for them. If you are experiencing a condition or symptoms that are impacting your quality of life, whether you are cannabis naive or have been self-medicating for many years, please contact us to learn more about how medical cannabis may help you.

How do I book an appointment?

Please call Apollo at (416) 840-5991 to book an appointment with us, or fill out a ‘book consultation’ form, here.

Is the clinic walk-in?

Only patients who have booked an appointment will be seen by Apollo doctors. Occasionally we have a last-minute consultation and will be able to see walk-ins, but it is always advised to call ahead to ensure you are prepared for your first appointment with us.

What will I need for my first visit?

Please bring with you:

A valid OHIP health card

A list of all current and past medications

All documentation Apollo has asked you to complete

What happens after my first visit?

We understand that patients may have some concerns after being prescribed Medical Cannabis. We will provide you with an educational session following your initial visit, and will work to answer any questions or concerns you may have.

What if my physician won't refer me to Apollo?

You DO NOT need a referral to be seen at Apollo. If your physician is not comfortable with medical cannabis, please contact us – we are here to help and are committed to being as accessible as possible for patients. Apollo is currently accepting patients without referrals.

How will I receive my medication?

Your medication will be shipped to you directly from a licensed producer. It can be ordered online, or over the phone, and is mailed right to your front door, by Canada Post or Purolator.

How much does medical marijuana cost?

The cost of Medical Cannabis varies from strain-to-strain, and product-to-product and is determined by the Licensed Producers who grow the Medical Cannabis for Canadians. We understand that medical cannabis is not currently covered by insurance, and can be an added expense for patients. This is why we will work with you one-on-one to find strains and products that match both your health-care, but also your budgetary needs. We can also help you apply for compassionate pricing programs, which can provide a discount on your medical cannabis.

How long will it take to receive my medication?

Once you are seen by Apollo, it typically takes up to a week to receive your medication from the licensed producer. If you need your first order of medical cannabis sooner, inquire with your patient educator about registering with a Licensed Producer who has an instant registration process, and same-day shipping, so we can help you place your first order in clinic to be received within 24 hours.

Is medical marijuana covered by OHIP or private insurance companies?

Currently Medical Cannabis is not covered by OHIP, as it does not have a DIN number. Some insurance companies have covered Medical Marijuana. These are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Medical Marijuana for Canadian Veterans and RCMP Officers is typically covered by insurance.

Medical Cannabis also tax-deductible as a medical expense, so make sure you save your receipts!

Are dispensaries legal?

Some provinces have allowed retail access to recreational Cannabis. In Ontario, there are no legal dispensaries at the moment. Any storefront that sells cannabis in Ontario, is illegal. Therefore dispensaries, compassion clubs, and other cannabis retail stores are NOT legal. The only legal way to obtain medical cannabis is by mail-order, direct from a Health Canada approved Licensed Producer, delivered to the patients home. For more information, please read our blog here.

What is medical marijuana?

There are two main components in the cannabis plant, CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), which both belong to a class of compounds called cannabinoids. Other cannabinoids exist, but less is known about the effects of these compounds.

CBD has neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties which help to relieve pain, but does not make people feel “high”. Many people report great pain relief from strains of Medical Marijuana that are rich in CBD.

THC also has some pain-relieving effects, but believed to cause many of the psychoactive effects of marijuana.

suspiciousness, nervousness, episodes of anxiety resembling a panic attack, paranoia (loss of contact with reality), hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that do not exist);

impairments in motor skills and perception, altered bodily perceptions, loss of full control of bodily movements, falls;

dry mouth, throat irritation, coughing;

nausea, vomiting; and

fast heartbeat.

Please note there may be side effects that are not yet known. You should always consult a physician if you experience any of these side-effects or experience anything unexpected.

How does medical marijuana work?

When heated, marijuana will release THC and CBD. It is believed that when these compounds enter the body, they act to prevent the nerve signals coming from the site of pain from being understood by the brain.

Will medical marijuana make me high?

You do not need to ‘get high’ to benefit from medical marijuana. Medical marijuana contains two main compounds – CBD (Cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) THC is the compound that creates that high or euphoria effect and CBD is non-psychoactive, meaning there is no ‘high’ obtained from it. Both compounds are medically beneficial and used often in combination with each other for best effect.

With that said, many patients choose to use strains that are very low in the compound THC, and rich in the compound CBD during the day, in order to manage their symptoms, without feeling ‘high’. Based on your needs, we will help you create a personalized treatment plan that addresses your concerns and treatment goals to ensure maximum benefit.

How do I purchase my medical marijuana?

Once your prescription and registration forms are faxed to the Licensed Producer (done centrally by Apollo Applied Research Inc.), the Licensed Producer will contact you by phone within 2 days of receiving your prescription, allowing you to place your order for Medical Marijuana. If the Licensed Producer does not call you within 2 days you should notify Apollo Applied Research Inc. or your physician.

You will be required to pay for your medical marijuana using a credit card, or pre-paid card over the phone. The licensed producers are not permitted to accept payment by any other method (e.g. debit card, cash, cheque, money order).

Once the payment has been processed, the Licensed Producer will let you know the exact day the product will be shipped. The medication will be shipped to your door by courier. You must be home to sign for the package, if you are not home, the courier will leave a notice to inform you where you can pick up the package in-person.

What is the price range?

This depends on the strain of cannabis and dosage you are prescribed. Medical Marijuana offered by Licensed Producers range in price from $2.50/gram to $15.00/gram. You will be allowed to purchase up to 30 days’ worth of Medical Marijuana at one time.

Can I get a medical marijuana prescription without a Doctor's referral?

If you’re unable to get your family doctor to fill out our referral form, please bring any medical records (i.e., MRI’s, consultation notes etc) to verify your condition. A list of current or previously tried medication is also acceptable (a print out from the pharmacy is preferred).

Do I have to purchase the maximum amount on my prescription?

No.

Medical cannabis patients can purchase up to the maximum amount prescribed, once every month, but are not required to purchase the full amount. For example, if a patient is prescribed 1 gram per day for 6 months, then they may purchase 20 grams the first month, 30 grams the second and third month, etc. Patients are however limited to only purchase strains at or below the prescribed THC amount.

Is medical marijuana covered by insurance?

No. Unfortunately at this time neither private insurance companies, nor public health organizations are covering the cost of Medical Marijuana.

Rules and regulations for purchasing medical marijuana

According to Health Canada, you are only allowed to place an order for and buy 30 days’ worth of marijuana at a given time. For example if your prescription is 1 gram per day, for 3 months, the most that you can buy at a time is 30 grams of marijuana. You must contact the licensed producer 30 days after you have purchased your first month’s supply to purchase the next month’s supply of medication. Please remember that you are only allowed to purchase more medication within a 30 day period if you are written a prescription for a greater dose during those 30 0 days.

You are legally allowed to carry with you the maximum amount of marijuana that you are permitted to buy for 30 days (in the example above this would be 30 grams).

There are many intricacies to purchasing Medical Marijuana, many of which are regulated by Health Canada. Apollo Applied Research Inc. will help to manage these intricacies for you. Should you have any questions about this process, you should contact your licensed producer or Apollo Applied Research Inc. directly.

General licensing rules

Please remember that your license for Medical Marijuana possession is on each bottle of marijuana that is shipped to you. If you leave your house with the Medical Marijuana, it should always be carried in the original bottle.

The license on the bottle has an expiration date, you are not legally allowed to carry marijuana after that date, unless you have seen a doctor and received a prescription past the date printed on the bottle.

You are not legally allowed to leave the country with Medical Marijuana, even if you are travelling to places where marijuana is legal.

You can travel/fly with Medical Marijuana within Canada, but please take all necessary precautions to prevent and issues by ensuring that you carry the marijuana in the original bottle you received it in which includes your license to possess Medical Marijuana.

Can I go to a pharmacy and pick up my prescribed medical marijuana?

No. The only method of ordering Medical Marijuana is directly through the Licensed Producer. No pharmacy is legally authorized to sell or provide Medical Marijuana.

Is it a pill?

Medical Cannabis Patients have 3 main options for administering their medicine:

Dried Cannabis, which should be vaporized and inhaled

Edible oils, which are placed under the tongue then swallowed

Oil Capsules, which are swallowed like a regular pill

Each method can affect the body differently and an Apollo patient educator will work with you to choose a method, or combination of methods best for you and your condition.

Recommended mode of administration: vaporization

Health Canada and Apollo Applied Research Inc. recommend that Medical Marijuana be administered by vaporization. Research has shown that vaporization can be up to 80% more effective than smoking, which means that through vaporization you are able to use less medication for the same effect, than if you smoked it. Additionally, vaporization produces approximately 95% fewer carcinogens and is less likely to irritate the upper airway, versus smoking marijuana.

It is important to remember that smoking marijuana, just as smoking anything else, is carcinogenic. It is not healthy for you to consume anything by the process of smoking. The use of pipes, bongs or other methods that require burning the marijuana are just as unhealthy as smoking marijuana cigarettes.

Many recreational users of marijuana choose to produce edible products of marijuana. Under the Medical Marijuana regulations, it is not permitted to produce other products using the medicine, including baked goods, oils or “budder”. More importantly, marijuana has unpredictable effects on people when consumed in this manner, making it potentially unsafe and unreliable as a treatment.

What should you look for when buying a vaporizer?

Multiple temperature settings:

Regardless of which vaporizer you purchase, it should have multiple temperature settings. The medicinal properties in the marijuana are activated through the process of heating and so you must have control over the temperature setting. The key is to heat the marijuana as much as possible without burning. Your vaporizer should have temperature settings for 200°C or higher.

Portability/Discreteness (how does it look):

You may be administering the Medical Marijuana multiple times throughout the day (on average 3 times a day) in order to achieve continuous pain relief. Therefore, at times when you are out in public and need to vaporize, it may be easier to medicate if the device is easy to carry, light, and discreet.

How much should I vaporize?

Your physician will decide the total amount of Medical Marijuana you should use each day (for example, 1 gram per day). This total amount is a maximum, but we recommend using the full amount prescribed to you by your physician.

It is not typically recommended for a patient to consume the entirety of their prescription at one time. In order to achieve continuous pain relief it is recommended that you divide your daily dose into smaller separate doses, taken periodically during the day. For example, if you are prescribed a total daily dose of 1 gram per day, you may choose to use 0.3 grams in the morning, 0.3 grams in the afternoon and 0.4 grams in the evening.

Often patients report that slightly more medication consumed in the evening helps to reduce disruptions in their sleep. Also, if there is a time during the day that your pain is far worse than other times, more medication can be used during those painful times, for example, if you are prescribed a total daily dose of 1 gram per day, and your pain is the worst in the morning, you may choose to use 0.4 grams in the morning, 0.3 grams in the afternoon, and 0.3 grams in the evening.

Changes to the way you split your total daily dose of medication is up to you, your medication can be but should be done in consultation with Apollo Applied Research and/or your physician.

A major advantage of this medication is that you have control over when and how much to administer and you can make your dosing schedule match to fit your lifestyle. It is encouraged to determine a dosing schedule that works best for you to maximize your pain relief.

We have provided a Daily Medication Log in this informational package which we strong recommend you use. It is aimed at helping you keep track of your dosing schedule. Writing down how much you vaporize and at what time in the day will provide you with a written record of what works and what doesn’t. It is important to keep in mind that every patient will react slightly different, and have different dosing schedules, and so it is up to you to find a balance that will give you the greatest pain relief.

Our goal is for you to be able to achieve the maximum benefit from the least amount of Medical Marijuana.

Where can I buy a vaporizer?

Vaporizers can be purchased from stores that sell cannabis-related products, such as “head shops”. Some of these stores will sell vaporizers online and ship them to your house. Apollo Applied Research Inc. can also assist you in the purchase of a vaporizer if you need help.

What research studies has apollo done?

Apollo founded it’s first research study on chronic pain in 2014. It is an ongoing observational clinical study. Apollo also has an ongoing study investigating the effects of medical cannabis on PTSD.

How can I join Apollo’s research?

Please contact Apollo Applied Research directly at info@apolloresearch.ca to inquire about participating in our research studies.

When will recreational cannabis be legalized?

Recreational cannabis will be legalized in Canada on October 17th 2018. On this date, adults will be able to legally purchase recreational cannabis products from authorized provincial online stores. Retail brick and mortor cannabis stores will not be available until April 1. 2019.

Why stay on the medical side of cannabis?

Medical cannabis is not a one size fits all treatment. It requires working with a qualified healthcare practitioner and their team to ensure you have the most success and relief possible. This kind of treatment is not available at recreational retail stores. If you are a medical cannabis patient, it is always recommended to have the ongoing advice, support and monitoring of a cannabis doctor and clinic. For more information on why to maintain your medical cannabis prescription, post-legalization, please read our blog here.

What will happen to my prescription?

Your prescription for medical cannabis will remain valid, post-legalization. We encourage you to attend your follow up appointment to have it renewed, to ensure you continue to have access to medical cannabis, and the necessary support.

Will I have access to the same products as recreational users?

Medical cannabis patients will have exclusive access to some licensed producers, meaning you will need a prescription to access medical cannabis products.

Will LPs only focus on recreational strains rather than medical strains?

Most licensed producers have created a separate recreational brand. This ensures that medical cannabis patients have access to a dedicated supply of medical cannabis, separate from their recreational supply.

Can I pick up my prescription from a dispensary?

No. Medical cannabis can only be mailed directly to a home/ office of your choosing. If you do not have a safe place to mail your medecine, Apollo can accept the package on your behalf. Please inquire with us directly.

Where can I consume my cannabis? Do the same rules that apply to recreational users apply to medical users?

Medical cannabis patients are free to consume their medicine as needed, even in public, provided you are abiding by local smoke-free laws. This means that if you need to vaporize your medicine while out and about, you are free to do so. Recreational consumers will be confined to use recreational cannabis in private spaces, such as one’s home.

I’m 68 years old and I was diagnosed with COPD and emphysema. Since I started my medical marijuana, I am more active, doing things I had no energy before, just when I thought my life was over I have begun to live again

-R.C.

Very professional and will accommodate you with Telemedicine follow up if you live a distance away. I have been very happy with the product I have ordered. The front desk people are very good at answering any questions you may have. If they can’t answer, they will always find the answer and call you back promptly. A very good experience any time I have needed to contact [Apollo].

-W

I have suffered with back, neck, and shoulder pain for many years. Thanks to Apollo I have my life back.

-J

I have a significant reduction in my pain. Overall my mood, motivation and well-being are revitalized. It is my hopes to completely reduce my need of pharmaceutical medications in the near future.

-PM

I was ignorant of the benefit that cannabis can offer, your patience and knowledge have alleviated my fear of the unknown. Looking forward to a great relationship lasting for many years.